Title: Chromosomal aberrations in Iranian radiation workers due to chronic exposure of X-irradiation

Authors: H. Samavat, H. Mozdarani

Addresses: Department of Medical Physics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Hamadan, Iran. ' Department of Medical Physics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Hamadan, Iran

Abstract: The frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 65 radiology technologists working in hospitals in Tehran, Iran, who had been chronically exposed to X-rays, was analysed. Although film dosimetery did not show the maximal annual permitted dose (20 mSv per year) in any of the examined subjects, cytogenetic analysis detected fairly high levels of chromosomal aberrations in the technologists compared to unexposed controls. The mean frequencies of structural chromosome aberration per 100 lymphocyte metaphases of workers and the controls were 2.93 and 0.54, respectively, excluding the high level of achromatic lesions registered. The difference between them was statistically significant with a P-value of <0.05.

Keywords: chromosomal aberrations; cytogenetic biomonitoring; low-dose X-irradiation; occupational exposure; low radiation; Iran.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2004.003873

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2004 Vol.1 No.2, pp.216 - 222

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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